April 16, 2015

Acts 5: 27-33

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet her yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them

In the Not Enough

.As disciples we make our way, choosing to trust that Christ is with us, God is near. As we journey along we come to discover that in some circumstances and at some times, choosing to trust requires little effort on our part. Our blessings become clearly recognizable to us. They leave us awash in a pervasive sense of joy, and a clear eyed certitude that our trust is well-placed.

At other points along the way we come to clouded crossroads wherein our blessings elude easy grasp and become concealed somewhere within the fog of faith. At such times, we are hard pressed to find eyes to see and ears to hear.

In that often terrifying territory, choosing to trust requires everything of us; and, when everything in us is exhausted, we realize that everything in us isn’t enough. That’s when, as disciples, we come to know in our bones that the gift of the Spirit knows no ration, and that there—in the not enough—Christ is with us, God is near!

Prayer

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following
your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.

—Thomas Merton

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PraySLUH is a prayer site rooted in the spiritual tradition of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. At SLUH, we believe that God is truly present and active in our lives in and through all things. PraySLUH is a site where you can come daily to see where and how God is accompanying you, through prayer with scripture, prayers, and short reflections.

April 16, 2015

Acts 5: 27-33

When they had brought them, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet her yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man’s blood on us.”

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them

In the Not Enough

.As disciples we make our way, choosing to trust that Christ is with us, God is near. As we journey along we come to discover that in some circumstances and at some times, choosing to trust requires little effort on our part. Our blessings become clearly recognizable to us. They leave us awash in a pervasive sense of joy, and a clear eyed certitude that our trust is well-placed.

At other points along the way we come to clouded crossroads wherein our blessings elude easy grasp and become concealed somewhere within the fog of faith. At such times, we are hard pressed to find eyes to see and ears to hear.

In that often terrifying territory, choosing to trust requires everything of us; and, when everything in us is exhausted, we realize that everything in us isn’t enough. That’s when, as disciples, we come to know in our bones that the gift of the Spirit knows no ration, and that there—in the not enough—Christ is with us, God is near!

Prayer

My Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think that I am following
your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me,
and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen.